Blackwater Woodworks is
a one-man furniture design studio run by Rick Laufer. The studio is located in a small but picturesque red bank barn on a five-acre hillside in Bentley Springs, Maryland.
a one-man furniture design studio run by Rick Laufer. The studio is located in a small but picturesque red bank barn on a five-acre hillside in Bentley Springs, Maryland.
In his work, Rick strives to create furniture
that accentuates the natural beauty of wood. He
works with Appalachian hardwoods, often using
figured lumber with significant color
variation.
"Whatever the design, every piece of furniture I
make has its own look, its own personality, based
on subtle differences in the grain, or the
angles, or the 'feel' of the wood," he
explains.
He also pays careful attention to functionality.
"Furniture should do what it is supposed to do,"
Laufer says. "A chair, for example, doesn't need
to shout 'I'm art', but it does need to look
appealing and feel comfortable."
ABOUT BLACKWATER WOODWORKS
Bentley Springs is a tiny hamlet known for its
crisscrossing streams and springs, that once
featured a railroad station, post office, general
store, and hotel. These are gone now, as is the
railroad. In their place is the North Central
Railroad hike/bike path. This trail runs from
Baltimore up into Pennsylvania and is one of the
premiere bike paths in the state.
Among
the articles and books Rick has appeared in
include: the cover of Woodshop
News;
Custom Woodworking
Business magazine;
the Custom Furniture Source Book: a
Guide to 125 Craftsman,
by Kerry
Pierce; 500
Chairs,
published by Lark Books. He is a past finalist
and winner of the prestigious Niche award
issued by Niche
Magazine.
Rick has also appeared in various art craft shows and exhibitions including the Philadelphia Fine Furniture Show; the Crafts at the Castle in Boston; the Washington Craft Show; the Paradise City Art and Craft festival; the Providence Fine Furniture show and the American Craft Council Baltimore event. His work has been shown at the Grovewood Gallery in Asheville NC; the Artful Hand Gallery in Boston; the Rentz Gallery in Richmond VA; The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft; the Target Gallery in Alexandria VA; the Chair Show 4 exhibition sponsored by the Southern Highland Craft Guild.
Rick has also appeared in various art craft shows and exhibitions including the Philadelphia Fine Furniture Show; the Crafts at the Castle in Boston; the Washington Craft Show; the Paradise City Art and Craft festival; the Providence Fine Furniture show and the American Craft Council Baltimore event. His work has been shown at the Grovewood Gallery in Asheville NC; the Artful Hand Gallery in Boston; the Rentz Gallery in Richmond VA; The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft; the Target Gallery in Alexandria VA; the Chair Show 4 exhibition sponsored by the Southern Highland Craft Guild.